Introduction to Windows Vista

Today's digital world is both exciting and at times overwhelming. Although the tools for managing digital information have grown in capability and richness, they still require you to invest a significant amount of time learning how to use them. And the exciting possibilities technology brings to life are sometimes overshadowed by the frustrations. For example, you need to manually organize your information into folders and use naming conventions that the PC understands. Windows Vista is different. It puts you at the center and adapts to your needs, rather than the other way around. Plus a lineup of products designed with the distinct needs of key audiences in mind—general users, small businesses, and medium and large organizations—ensures that there is a product that meets the needs of you or your organization.

For general users, Windows Vista makes it easier, safer, and more entertaining to use your PC virtually anytime and anywhere. It lets you get things done and get on with life by making it easier and faster than ever to find, use, manage, and share information on a PC or on the Web. The security and health of your PC is automated with features such as Windows Defender that protect you against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threads caused by spyware or other unwanted software. Windows Media Center expands your ability to enjoy and share your television, photos, music, and games—in your living room or around your house—all with the click of a remote control. And you can take it all with you—you’re free to enjoy your entertainment and connect and share information with friends or family on the go.

For businesses, Windows Vista helps ensure that your company’s PCs are more secure, reliable, and low-cost to deploy and manage. It’s built from the ground up for enhanced security and the new security features further protect information-based businesses from unauthorized, accidental, and intentional misuse of intellectual property. This reduces the time and expense associated with enforcing policies and recovering from violations. Windows Vista also helps your organization’s efficiency by letting your users find, organize, and share information effectively and connect to people, information, and devices virtually anytime, anywhere.